Travel & Aviation
Free WIFI next time you're in an Airport
If you are lucky enough to travel business class then you know how how wonderful free airport WIFI is. It is a chance to download content and update social media before your flight. What if you are not travelling business? You can spend between $9.99 - $59.99 for a daypass. Anil Polat, traveller and Computer engineer, created a simple website and smartphone app that shows an interactive map with passwords for hundreds of different airport lounges around the world.
Best collapsible water bottle
The right gear makes travelling so much better.In 2014, I wrote an article about (my then) favourite foldable water bottle. At the time, it was the best foldable (small form factor) bottle money could buy but recently I discovered a new collapsible water bottle that puts the Vapur to shame. Why? With tighter and tighter airport security screenings, bringing your own water became a taboo. Most people just fork over the $5-7 a bottle and buy it at the airport convenience store but no more.
Samsung offering in-airport smartphone exchange
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1200”] Image by Sergio Quntana via Twitter [/caption] The US FAA has officially barred all Note 7s from flying on any US airline and Samsung has started an airport exchange program. CNET is reporting that: "After setting up exchange booths in South Korea's Incheon airport , Samsung is now spreading the initiative across the world, announcing trade-in booths in airports across Australia. The customer service booths will allow passengers to switch out their recalled Galaxy Note 7 (along with the data on it) to another Samsung device.
Review of The Grayl Ultralight water filter & purifier
Over the last 25 years, I have logged close to 1 million air miles and I have traveled to all four corners of the world. Much of my time has been spent in locations where water quality is questionable and improper handling can make you very very very very very sick. My traditional solution has been to use a particulate filtering system (like the Sawyer Mini water filter) and then sterilizing the product using a Steripen UV Sterilizer. In locations were I wanted to be doubly sure or my Steripen ran out of batteries, I also used Aquamira water purification tablets.
How to sleep on a plane
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”] Image by bnilsen used under creative commons license [/caption] Having traveled over 700,000 miles in the last 20 years, I realize the importance of sleeping on a plane. Over the years, I developed tips and tricks on how to sleep better when flying. 1 - Wear an Eye Mask Proper sleep requires a nice dark environment but your 200 close friends may not agree. Bring your own Eye Mask and bring something soft, plush and comfortable. If your airline does provide one, it will be cheap and extremely uncomfortable.
Travelers need a 4 digit debit card PIN
North American banks allow customers to use 6-8 digit debit card PINs which is good security but not if you travel. Many international banks only support 4 digit PINs at their ATMs, “Some international ATMs support only 4-digit PINs. Be sure your PIN does not start with a zero, and know your PIN by the numbers, as some ATMs outside the United States do not have letters on the keypads.” — Bank of America recommendation You can read the BoA traveler tip page here.
The 6 apps every traveller should download now
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”] image by fdecomite used under Creative Commons License [/caption] The smartphone has quickly become the most important device we own. It allows us to be productive at work. It allows us to stay in touch with family and friends. It helps keep us healthy and accountable. It has also become the travellers best friend. I can't imagine taking a trip without it and here are some of my favourite apps that make travelling better, more efficient and much more fun.
Review of The Grayl water purifier and filter
The problem As a "light prepper", lover of camping and traveler, I have been looking for the ultimate water filter/canteen/bottle for years. I have tried over 50 different solutions over the last 10 years and although some did better than others, most left me wanting more. Most of my readers are young professionals so here is the scenario for you. You just finished a long day while travelling and finally came back to your hotel room. All the shops nearby are closed and you want some fresh clean water.
Sawyer Mini water filter review
We assume most North Americans just drink the clean municipal tap water available freely everywhere. Then you learn that 50 billion water bottles were consumed last year in the US alone. So obviously some people have concerns about the quality of their water, You add to this travellers, campers and preppers. Regardless of why you want clean water, there are hundreds of options. Over the last 10 years, I have tested several dozen and have spoken to scientists & survival experts about their preferences.
ZIPSIM is a US prepaid SIM card for travel and EDC
I have written about the virtues of RoamMobility countless times (here, here, here, here, here). I have written about them because roaming fees are the scourge of travelers. Regardless of what roaming plan your carrier offers, you will likely be limited to slow speed, data caps or other conditions which mean you have to think twice very time you pickup your phone. RoamMobility was a nice easy solution that offered an affordable way to get virtually unconstrained normal use.